النهار

BEIRUT: The French poet Victor Hugo once said, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”

Just like a scent, a song can have a kind of nostalgia attached to it; it imitates a time machine that transports the person from the present to the past, through memory, or to the future, through fantasy.

Khalil Abou Obeid, a singer, composer and a song writer, started his musical journey when he was just two years old.

His parents bought him a piano as a gift on his birthday, but what they didn’t expect was for him to have his own public performance after three years at the school Christ Roi Zahle.

Growing up, Abou Obeid fed his knowledge, by listening to songs daily and taking piano lessons. His favorite songs were the ones of Wadih Al Safi.

To pursue his career, he studied musicology in the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, along with philosophy, theology, and psychology.

He considers philosophy essential to make music; this is because it widens the musician’s perception in order to create something new. In his view, he intends to make music that is different and deep rather than just producing replicas of familiar tones.

The 36-year-Abou Obeid noted to Annahar the keys to becoming a musician.

“University doesn’t create a musician, a musician creates another musician. My teacher Toufic Succar, who studied musicology in France, mentored me in a very strict way,” he said.

Abou Obeid earned a diploma of final studies in solfege, dictation and musical composition. After graduating, he taught in many schools and colleges.

Parents can stimulate the musical sense in their kids while they’re young and absorbing like a sponge. This can be done by encouraging them to listen to songs.

Because of his background, Abou Obeid was chosen to mentor the participants of Star Academy Arabia. He was known for his disciplined and strict attitude at the academy. Currently he is coaching contestants on The Voice.

On Star Academy he met the famous singer Saber al Robai, who later invited him to a conference related to The Voice. He was shocked when al Robai pointed at him and chose him to be the vocal coach for his team.

Such moments are Abou Obeid’s greatest moments of success.

“I have won many awards; nevertheless it was when my teacher mentioned me in his lectures as an example of success that I felt really honored,” he said.

Abou obeid wrote, composed and arranged several Arabic songs such as “hebbini” and “Baadik;” both performed by Mohammad el Majzoub.

His latest work is his orchestral arrangement “Isar.”

“When drawing a painting, you can touch, see and feel it concretely, but what is so magical about music is that you can create, change and feel it all without seeing or touching,” Abou Obeid told Annahar.

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Annahar's "Faces of Lebanon" is an occasional series that takes a look at talented young Lebanese. We encourage you nominating candidates and telling us their story. Send your nominations to: [email protected]